Western Pa. library systems work through logistics of reopening

“What?!? It’s a real book?!?”

Delmont librarian Denni Grassel’s humorous exclamation in a video posted to YouTube (watch the video below) was the official signal that the Delmont Public Library will reopen Monday, with some new procedures in place.

Library systems throughout the region are holding meetings and working through the logistics of what reopening could look like.

“We have been in discussions for weeks in terms of how to approach all of this,” said Marilyn Jenkins, executive director for the Allegheny County Library Association, which serves 46 member libraries. “At this point in time, I would guess that by June 15, most all of the libraries in our county will be offering some contactless pick-up and return of materials.”

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is also planning a phased approach to reopening its 13 locations, according to spokeswoman Suzanne Thinnes.

“Opening up our physical spaces is going to be slow, happen in phases, and be very deliberate,” Thinnes said. “In the next phase, it will be more of a transition to in-library services. For us, that will be book returns, and in the next few weeks, we’ll be releasing that information to the public.”

Thinnes said Carnegie libraries will initially offer curbside pick-up at several locations, “and then we’ll slowly expand that.”

In Delmont, even small steps toward reopening are cause for celebration:

Jenkins said libraries are following direction from the state’s Office of Commonwealth Libraries, which laid out a framework for reopening based on Gov. Tom Wolf’s phased reopening plan.

“We’ll just plan to follow the guidelines as Allegheny County prepares to move from yellow to green,” Jenkins said. “We’re beginning to talk about what that looks like, logistically. But that’s not on the horizon anytime soon because, as you can imagine, there are a lot of logistics.”

Westmoreland Library Network Executive Director Cesare Muccari did not return calls for comment, however the network does have a website outlining its general reopening strategy.

“WLN member libraries are developing their own reopening plans with a focus on staff and community safety,” the page reads. “When we do reopen, our services will look a bit different as we adhere to guidelines related to social distancing, masking and quarantining materials.”

Jenkins said that even though patrons are not permitted inside the library, its services are still being utilized.

“We’re continuing to provide access to the Internet,” she said. “All our libraries have wi-fi that extends out into the parking lot, and we do have people who park there to access it.

“We’re just trying to be proactive and be ready for whatever changes may come,” she said.